Student journalist Rachael Ainsworth was awarded the first Paris American Academy scholarship in a luncheon ceremony at Wayland Baptist University on Tuesday.

Ainsworth was chosen from a field of four finalists to receive the scholarship, which will enable her to attend the Paris American Academy in France for the month of July. While there, she will attend the academy's summer Creative Writing Workshop covering fiction, poetry, screenwriting and creative nonfiction.

The award was presented by Peter Carman, president of the Academy, and Fran Redinger of Ruidoso, who donated the funds for half of the scholarship. Members of Friends of the Paris American Academy donated the remainder of the scholarship, including Plainviewan Bettye Givens, Joyce Pounds Hardy, Peggy Zulicka Lynch, Kaye Abik, Patty Poon, Mary Ruppert, Carmen Sherbert, Charlotte Moffart and Therese Augarde.

A native of Lamesa, Ainsworth is currently the editor of the Wayland student newspaper, The Trailblazer. She is also in Senate, plays JV basketball and works in the Wayland development office. She works part-time at the Plainview Daily Herald photography department and hopes to work someday in a field of writing or photography.

The daughter of Kevin and Lisa Ainsworth of Waco, formerly of Lamesa, Rachael will graduate in December 2002. She is excited about the trip to France.